Stage 1 of the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 has concluded, and eight teams continue their pursuit of the trophy in Budapest. Over three intense days, the competition shaped clear leaders, consistent second-tier contenders, and squads that secured advancement through sheer determination. While some favorites confirmed their form, others exceeded all expectations. Meanwhile, several teams progressed thanks to discipline, structure, and late-game resilience. Below is a full breakdown of the squads that earned their place in the next phase of the Major.
1–2nd place — FlyQuest, M80: dominance, structure, stability
FlyQuest (1–2nd) — the most consistent team of the stage
FlyQuest delivered one of the cleanest runs of Stage 1. They opened with a confident win over Legacy (13–10) and followed it up with a crucial victory against Imperial (13–6). After that, the team closed out the stage by sweeping Fluxo 2–0 in a decisive BO3. As a result, FlyQuest demonstrated an excellent balance of discipline, adaptation, and tempo control. Their T-sides looked the most polished in the stage.
Key advantages included:
- strong execution on Inferno and Overpass,
- proactive entry work,
- impressive composure in clutch situations.
M80 (1–2nd) — North America’s strongest representative
M80 became one of the most pleasant surprises of the stage. They started with a hard-fought victory over B8 (13–11) and maintained their momentum with a solid win against PARIVISION (13–9). The decisive moment came in the BO3 against NRG, which M80 closed out 2–0. As a consequence, the team comfortably advanced into Stage 2.
Their success was driven by:
- a reliable AWP presence,
- strong CT-side openings,
- clean transitions between halves.
3–5th place — fnatic, B8, Ninjas in Pyjamas: advancing through character and consistency
fnatic (3–5th) — the revival of a legendary brand
Fnatic secured one of the toughest wins of the stage — a narrow 16–14 victory over RED Canids — and used that momentum as a foundation for the rest of their run. They then defeated Imperial (13–3), stumbled against Fluxo (9–13), and ultimately claimed a crucial 2–1 win over NRG. Thanks to these performances, fnatic advanced confidently into the top eight.
Reasons for their success:
- the strongest round difference in their group,
- a structured and reliable Train defense,
- high individual output from key riflers.
B8 (3–5th) — masters of late-round control
B8 proved to be one of the most stable teams of Stage 1. Their path included a win over The Huns (13–11), a close loss to M80 (11–13), and two essential victories afterward — 13–11 against PARIVISION and a clean 2–0 over Legacy. Throughout the stage, B8 repeatedly showcased exceptional calm in tight games.
Notable strength:
- an almost perfect conversion rate in matches decided by only a few rounds.
Ninjas in Pyjamas (3–5th) — a return to form
NiP began Stage 1 with a loss to NRG (7–13), yet quickly turned their performance around. They dispatched FaZe (13–8), swept Fluxo (2–0), and dominated Lynn Vision (13–2). Because of this consistent rise, NiP advanced with the strongest upward trajectory among teams in this placement range.
Their standout qualities:
- a powerful Train performance,
- sharp and decisive AWP play,
- near-flawless retake coordination.
6–8th place — PARIVISION, Imperial, FaZe: a difficult path with a deserved reward
PARIVISION (6–8th) — fearless and unpredictable
PARIVISION emerged as the main dark horse of Stage 1. They defeated The Huns (13–8), swept GamerLegion (2–0), and secured a dramatic 2–1 victory against Legacy. Moreover, the team showcased the same explosive, unpredictable style that earned them recognition in Asia: aggressive peaks, creative duels, and no fear of big names.
Imperial (6–8th) — Brazilian discipline under pressure
Imperial’s start was mixed — a hard-fought win over Rare Atom (13–11) was followed by a 6–13 loss to FlyQuest. However, the team regrouped and delivered dominant performances: 2–0 over The Huns and 2–0 over NRG. As a result, Imperial advanced with some of the most stable play seen among teams outside the top-seed bracket.
FaZe (6–8th) — not at their peak, but clutch when needed
FaZe experienced an inconsistent stage but performed when it mattered the most. After defeating Lynn Vision (13–5), they lost to NiP (8–13), yet bounced back with a 2–1 win against RED Canids and another crucial 2–1 victory over Fluxo. Ultimately, FaZe once again proved that even without peak form, they remain capable of advancing through any Major stage.
Skin.Club Pick’em Challenge
Running alongside the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 is the Skin.Club Pick’em Challenge — an interactive feature where fans predict match results, choose advancing teams, and earn points throughout the tournament. By making accurate picks, participants unlock rewards ranging from premium skins to rare gloves and knives, with the ultimate prize being the iconic AWP | Dragon Lore.
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favorites confirmed expectations, underdogs wrote new stories
Stage 1 of the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 produced one of the most diverse top-eight lineups in recent memory. It features disciplined leaders like FlyQuest and M80, structured squads such as fnatic and Imperial, and inspiring underdog runs from PARIVISION and B8. The next phase, however, will be even harder — and every single round may decide who moves closer to the Major trophy.
